Following the striker’s two-goal show, team mate Craig Gardner waxed lyrical about his colleague and admitted he’s delighted to see Fletcher doing well at Sunderland.

He’s just showed why he’s worth the money that was paid for him.

- Gardner on Fletcher

After the game at the DW Stadium, Gardner told safc.com: “He’s just showed why he’s worth the money that was paid for him.

“To have scored 10 goals at this point in the season is phenomenal.

“If someone like [Wayne] Rooney, [Lionel] Messi or [Robin] van Persie had scored those goals you would never stop hearing about them for months.

“I wish Fletch would get the same recognition because he’s different class.”

Fletcher made his league debut for Sunderland back in August against Swansea City and bagged a brace that day, he went to on to score in each of the three successive fixtures, securing two draws and a win.

The front man has averaged a goal every 2.1 games for the Black Cats and is continuing to impress with his all-round displays.

“Fletch is class. I see it every day in training.” Gardner continued. “When he gets one on one with the keeper you can just expect the net to ripple.”